Cao Bằng: A Solo Journey Through Northern Vietnam’s Hidden Paradise

Before beginning this adventure, I wrote in my little notebook: “I don’t know what awaits me in Cao Bằng. I feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. I’m not sure what this place will bring, but I’m at peace knowing that whatever it is, it’s exactly what’s meant to happen.”

Cao Bằng: A Solo Journey Through Northern Vietnam’s Hidden Paradise

Before beginning this adventure, I wrote in my little notebook:

“I don’t know what awaits me in Cao Bằng. I feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. I’m not sure what this place will bring, but I’m at peace knowing that whatever it is, it’s exactly what’s meant to happen.”

Before every trip, I try not to set expectations. I want the place to surprise me, its people, landscapes, and energy. Traveling always helps me let go of fears, break limiting beliefs, and fill myself with inspiration and wonder.

Cao Bằng was no exception.

Getting to Cao Bằng

Cao Bằng is a small province in northern Vietnam, close to the Chinese border. You can get there easily Hanoi: just book a night sleeper bus through Eco Travel Cao Bằng. After about 9 hours of smooth rest, you’ll wake up in a world of green hills and winding mountain roads.

Eco Travel doesn’t just offer accommodation—they’ll help you rent a motorbike (manual or automatic) and give you a detailed map of the famous Cao Bằng Loop, which you can do solo or with a guide.

I chose to ride solo—with a bike, a map, and a full heart.

Day 1:

I started the loop visiting some of Cao Bằng’s traditional craft villages, each dedicated to a different ancestral art:

Phia Thap Village: Every household here makes incense. The aroma floats through the streets, and the process is delicate, beautiful—almost like watching a sacred dance.

Dia Tren Paper Village: A tiny village where families create traditional paper by hand. I got to try the process myself, and for anyone who loves crafts, it’s pure magic.

Pac Rang Village: Famous for blacksmithing. Watching them forge knives and swords using age-old techniques was humbling. You can feel the respect for tradition in every strike of the hammer.

After a simple, delicious lunch of caramelized beef and buttery stir-fried greens, I rode to Ba Quang Panorama—and my jaw dropped.

Imagine the hills of Heidi: rolling green meadows, cows grazing under the sun, birds singing, and a breeze that carries the scent of wildflowers. I sat there, completely alone, heart wide open.

It was one of the most magical moments of the trip.

That night, I stayed at a local guesthouse, cozy and quiet, ready for what the next day would bring.

Day 2:

The morning started slowly, peacefully. I rode towards the Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda, a hilltop temple surrounded by mist and pine trees. The drums, the bells, the hush of the forest—it felt like stepping another world.

Then came the highlight of the trip: Ban Gioc Waterfalls.

They are the largest waterfalls in Southeast Asia, and honestly, no words can capture their majesty.

The water cascades down in layers, roaring powerfully yet gracefully. I sat for over an hour, mesmerized by the mist and thunder.

Just a few kilometers away are the Nguom Ngao Caves—a limestone wonderland. Walking inside felt like entering the belly of the Earth: cool, dark, otherworldly. Stalactites glistened above me like frozen time.

By sunset, I arrived at Angel Eye Mountain, where I slept at a dreamy eco-camping site facing the majestic stone arch. Dinner was a cozy Korean BBQ under the stars, followed by storytelling and laughter around a bonfire.

It was one of those nights you don’t forget.

Day 3:

After breakfast at the eco-camp, I headed toward the stunning Thang Hen Lake.

A quiet, emerald-green lake tucked between the mountains—it was pure serenity. I boarded a small wooden boat and let the silence wrap around me. The water mirrored the sky so perfectly I couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.

Last stop: Pac Bo Cave. Not only a place of historical importance, but also a natural sanctuary.

I took off my shoes, dipped my feet in the cool stream, and watched colorful butterflies dance in the air.

They felt like a blessing. Like a soft farewell.

Final Reflections

Traveling solo through Cao Bằng allowed me to reconnect with myself, to open to the beauty of simplicity, and to remember that we don’t need much to feel alive—just a motorbike, a notebook, and a desire to be surprised.

If you're considering doing this trip—stop doubting.

Cao Bằng is waiting for you, and trust me: it will give you more than you ever imagined.